Lynchburg Virginian

From the Lexington (Va) Spectator, July 10.

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

The Visitation took place at the Institute on the 30th June. The following gentlemen were present:

Gen. Peir C. Johnston, of Washington Co.,
George H. Irvin, Esq. of Rockingham,
William Dent, Esq. of Lawrence.
Col. Charles Duke, of Roanoke,
Gen. Corbin Braxton, of King William,
John W. Brockenbrough, Esq.
Dr. A. L. Thorn, of Richmond.
Gen. C. P. Radford,
Wm. H. Richardson, Adjt. Gen'l. (ex officio)
Only one member of the board, Gen. Wallace, of Wagener, was absent. Gen. Johnston was selected first president of the Board. To such merited candor be awarded these gentlemen for their genuine exertions, coming as they do from incognitos of the State, and devoting their summer much to ordinary repose to the service of the Commonwealth. Examinations were commenced on the 3d June, and concluded on the 10th inst. The reputation of the school is so universally extended that it is unnecessary for us to dwell on the severe and thorough system of instruction by which it is characterized. We speak in the name of truth when we say that the graduates here at all. In the last two years they have shown military in both self command and drill.

On the evening of the 1st, there was a splendid Review, which was witnessed as well by the Board of Visitors, as by a collected respectable from our village. The Cadets were drilled by Col. Smith, a member of the Board of Visitors and Commandant of the Public Guard. Under the severe ordeal to which they were subjected by that excellent officer, they acquitted themselves like regulars, and fully proved their own attention to the duties of the soldier, and the very superior qualifications of Capt. Wilson, the Professor of Tactics.

We learn that Col. Smith and his brother members of the Board of Visitors expressed themselves highly gratified with the military department and proficiency exhibited by the cadets on this occasion.

The FOURTH OF JULY was the Graduation Day; and was, fortunately, one of the coolest and most delightful days of the season. There was a great crowd of Strangers in attendance from all parts of the Commonwealth, as well as large numbers from our own county. We cannot imagine a more spirited and appropriate manner of celebrating this glorious anniversary than the various exercises of the V. M. I. A national salute, fired at sunrise, commenced the proceedings of the day. At 11 o'clock the procession was formed, consisting of the Board of Visitors, the Cadets, that well drilled company, the Lexington Volunteers, and the handsome and efficient Lexington Troop. The appearance of this whole military procession was in a high degree creditable to the State and to the town. After arriving at the Presbyterian Church, the following was the order of exercises:

Introductory Prayer, by the Rev. John Skinner.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Cadet W. C. Dunnavant of the 3d class.
Oration for the Fourth, by John C. Marr, of the 2d class.
Salutatory Address, by Cadet R. T. W. Duke of Albemarle.
Oration by Cadet R. M. Wiley, of Botetourt.
Oration by Cadet W. I. R. Wheelwright of Westmoreland.
Valedictory Address by Cadet H. B. Hill of Buckingham.

The anniversary oration was a spirited and patriotic effort, and reflected much honor upon the youthful orator. The other addresses, by the representatives of the graduating class, gave evidence of promising talent, and were delivered with grace and animation.

After the Addresses, degrees were conferred by the Superintendent upon nineteen young gentlemen. The following is a list of the Graduates arranged according to merit:

1. H. T. Lee, of Frederick.
2. R. T. W. Duke, of Albemarle.
3. J. B. Sherrard, of Hampshire,
4. R. H. Simpson, Warren,
5. W. H. Wheelwright, of Westmoreland,
6. H. C. Hill, of Buckingham.
7. D. A. Langhorne, of Campbell,
8. Caleb Boggess, of Harrison.
9. Wm. H. Baker of Frederick,
10. R. M. Wiley, of Botetourt,
11. Vincent T. Churchman, of Augusta,
12. J. R. Cabell, of Pennsylvania,
13. A. H. Powell, of Brunswick,
14. H. W. Williamson, of Norfolk City,
15. John B. Moorman, of Pendleton,
16. J. P. Mason, of Rappahannock,
17. William H. Smith, of Richmond City.
18. E. M. Anthony, of Botetourt.
19. Reuben L. Walker, of Albemarle.

*Distinguished Cadets.

In the evening, at 5 o'clock, an assembly was gathered in the Presbyterian Church, to hear the Address to the Alumni, by Mr. W. H. Henderson, of Loudoun. We were happy to recognize among the audience a good number of the former graduates of the Institute. The orator of the occasion was a graduate of 1842, and divided the first honors of his class with the talented Cadet William D. Fair, of Amherst. (now of Lynchburg.) We had cause at that time to pay a warm tribute of admiration to the beautiful effort of Cadet Henderson. His recent Address to the Alumni fully realized the favorable anticipations of his friends. It was a production which evinced a high order of intellect, was truly eloquent, both in matter and manner; and furnished rich promise of a brilliant career to its author.

The festivities of the occasion were concluded by a cotillion.